Author: Ki McGraw

As a child raised in the Catholic faith, I was especially drawn to the rituals and the veneration of saints. Recovering from my early years of Catholic indoctrination, I returned to my appreciation of those aspects of the tradition. My life is full of sacred rituals and celebrating the miraculous lives of those who have gone before us.

Some saints seem to have been chosen for other than sacred purposes whereas other saints walk among us, unknown. Mystics, prophets and visionaries also inspire my path. Together with the saints, they go before us as mentors and way-showers of inspirational possibilities.

What spiritual tradition were you raised in? Which parts do you continue to observe? Ki to Happiness observes rituals and follows guides which inspire.

The wintry mix of sleet, ice and snow gave us pause before we went out on our constitutional walk. Bob on his cane, and my left wrist still in a brace, neither of us can afford another fall. With good footwear, we gently stepped out, ready to turn back at any moment.

Mostly, we enjoyed the safe snow with big flakes falling and sticking to lawns in our neighborhood. We navigated dangerous slippery areas on irregular hilly terrain. Slowly and attentively we walked our entire route in awe of the beauty, the hummingbirds at kind feeders and the hush of snowfall.

Are you staying safe during this wintry weather? Can you still venture out to appreciate the blessings of this time of year?Ki to Happiness adapts yoga and walking practices to safely experience the blessings available in every season of life.

My mom and I shared a cheery chat on the phone yesterday. She is healing up from a lengthy bout of some kind of crud as I am healing up from my wrist injury. As we shared our maladies and memories, both of us improved our attitudes.

We aligned with gratitude and generosity toward each other. In sharing our recent health issues, we grew in understanding and compassion. We have a abundance of support and love for each other with which to offer to the world.

What cheery chat could improve your attitude? How could you share that improvement with your world? Ki to Happiness shares the abundance of love with students, clients, family, friends, neighbors, pets and community.

After teaching yesterday morning, one of the students gave me the finest compliment. She thanked me for my self-care as a model for students. She’s a long-term practitioner who has witnessed my approach to teaching and practicing for over 20 years.

It’s working. Self-care is allowing my body to heal itself with the right support as I receive assistance from my helpers. Chief among them is my husband.

Do you allow enough time for self-care? Who helps you to care for yourself? Ki to Happiness takes all the time healing needs and receives help from many.

Martin Luther King had a dream which has inspired us. His dream awakened the dream in my heart as a child. I grew up in St. Louis at the time of the attempt at integration through bussing.

I got on the Metropolitan bus and went to the gifted school in another area of our city. All the other kids came from their areas, and represented a diverse group of every walk of life. We all got along and learned, making that dream a bit closer reality.

What dream is in your heart? How can you make that dream a bit closer to reality? Ki to Happiness wishes all dreamers a Happy MLK Day.

I returned to the US mainland after living 10 years in the tropics afraid of bad weather. That’s when I learned the Scandinavian expression “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. I tuned up my wardrobe, replacing sarongs and bikinis with warm scarves and beanies.

This record-breaking cold has me putting on extra layers of snow pants, and double down vests. With good clothing, Bob and I took our afternoon walk and enjoyed the beautiful crisp clear day. Returning to our warm home and studio, we watched the crows fly back to their roost in the pink sunset.

Do you have good clothing for this weather? With enough warmth, can you delight in aspects of this cold snap? Ki to Happiness marvels at the birds “who neither sow or reap”.

Winter proceeds with a hard freeze. Staying warm requires hot drinks and extra layers. Bundled up, all is safe and snug here with cats on laps and enough power for our electric heat.

Movement of the body is important to our body, mind and spirit. Yoga practices, including engaging the triple heaters in the arms, stimulate our internal temperature.Walking outdoors in sensible footwear invites us to experience the beauty and wonder of nature.

Are you at peace with the weather? Can you accept it as you courageously change your practices and yourself? Ki to Happiness grows in wisdoms and serenity during this hard freeze.

Yesterday’s new moon continues to invite us to get clear about our intentions for this new year. Transforming any conflict into an opportunity for learning and evolving is advised. Using one’s curiosity about the issues can facilitate this process as 1/11 represents a portal of manifestation.

I find it helps a lot to remember one’s personal history and highest values. Being guided to act in alignment with values may remember you to your purpose. Recommitting to it before sleeping can deepen our ability to manifest our intentions, especially as we reflect on all the tiny miracles occurring each day.

What are you curious about regarding your issues? Are you willing to use those issues to grow and evolve in alignment with your highest values? Ki to Happiness remembers and aligns in the dark of moon.

Sometimes in my private work with others, they reveal traumas that render them voiceless. As they begin to feel safe enough to express themselves with me, they access their voice. Later, their voice may be used to speak up for the others who are still voiceless.

In this way, it’s quite possible to make use of trauma for the good of others as well as oneself. Reclaiming our voice empowers our choice. Choosing to make good use voice gives us a chance to redeem our past from ruin and create a better future for ourselves and the world.

What would you like to say? Where is it safe to express yourself? Ki to Happiness says thank you for finding your voice and using it to help the voiceless.

Early in my life, I had a keen sense of my calling. Some call it, a noble mission. I wanted to take the issues I survived and use them to help others survive to the extent of potential thriving.

Being raised Irish Catholic in St. Louis, I figured if I could do it, anybody could. While none of my particular helpers (therapists, supervisors, mentors, teachers…) were perfect, all offered me something, I learned from each and offer that to the world through private sessions and yoga classes.

What gives your life meaning and purpose? Do you have a noble mission? Ki to Happiness listens to that which has called her.